THE PROCESS
What it actually looks like
to work with us.
No surprises. No black boxes. From the first conversation to the final celebration, here is exactly how a Ruiz & Company engagement works, and what you can expect every step of the way.
WE START A CONVERSATION
Every engagement begins the same way:
with a real conversation, not a sales pitch.
HOW EVERY ENGAGEMENT BEGINS
From first conversation
to embedded partner.
Honest assessment of fit
We tell you what we actually see. Whether a campaign is realistic right now, what would have to change first, and whether we are the right people to help. Sometimes the honest answer is not yet, or not us.
What to expect: a candid read on your readiness, and a referral elsewhere if someone else is the better fit.
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We start by listening. You tell us where your organization is, what you are working toward, and what is keeping you up at night. We ask questions. We do not pitch. No obligation on either side.
What to expect: a 30–45 minute conversation. No homework required.
The first conversation
Scope & engagement agreement
We put it in writing before anyone starts. The agreement names what is included and what is not, the phases and how long each one runs, who is responsible for what on both sides, how often we meet, and how we will know it worked. We build the work in phases on purpose, so there is a natural decision point at the end of each one rather than a single long commitment.
What to expect: an agreement you can hand to your board, and a clear place to continue or stop at the end of every phase.
We embed with your team
We join your team and stay. We are in your meetings, in your donor conversations, and in the room for the visits that matter. We take work off your plate rather than adding to it.
What to expect: a partner who is present and responsive, not a plan handed over from the outside.
The work
This is the longest stretch of any engagement, and what gets built depends on the service: a board that is recruited and trained, a fundraising plan your team can run, a campaign that gets to its goal. What stays the same is how it runs. We meet on a standing schedule, we carry the pieces that would otherwise land on your staff, and we prepare your leadership for the conversations in front of them instead of handing them a script. When something is not working, we say so early and adjust with you rather than defending the plan.
What to expect: a steady rhythm of meetings, visible progress between them, and a straight answer any time you ask how it is going.
Transition & close
We hand the work back deliberately. Your team keeps the plan, the materials, the donor records, and the habits we built together. We are available after we step back.
What to expect: an engagement that ends with your team more capable than when we arrived.
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A CLOSER LOOK
Areas of Expertise.
Three areas where we bring depth and intention.
01. FOUNDATION
Board Development
We help organizations build boards that are engaged, equipped, and energized, whether you are starting from scratch or refreshing an existing structure. A strong board is your organization's greatest asset.
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Board Assessment and Health Evaluation
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Board Composition and Skills Matrix
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Board Recruitment, Nominations, and Onboarding
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Governance Training and Fiduciary Responsibility
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Board Retreat Facilitation
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Committee Structure and Charters
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Officer Training and Leadership Succession
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Bylaws and Governance Policy Review
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Board and Staff Role Clarity
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Board Giving and Participation Expectations
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Annual Board Self-Assessment
Fundraising Strategy
02. MOMENTUM
A clear fundraising strategy removes guesswork and builds confidence across your organization. We help you understand your capacity, align your approach, and create a sustainable path to revenue growth.
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Fundraising Assessment and Capacity Analysis
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Development Operations and Systems Review
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Revenue Diversification Strategy
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Annual Fund Development and Optimization
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Major Gifts Program Development
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Donor Pipeline Building and Moves Management
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Donor Retention and Stewardship Planning
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Grant Strategy and Foundation Relations
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Case for Support Development
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Special Event Strategy and Evaluation
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Development Staffing Structure and Role Definition
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Annual Fundraising Plan and Calendar
03. TRANSFORMATION
Campaign Counsel
Counsel from the first readiness question through the final celebration. We guide capital, comprehensive, endowment, and annual campaigns, and we stay embedded the whole way. When the gift that decides the campaign is on the table, Wendy is in the room with you.
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Campaign Readiness Assessment
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Feasibility and Planning Studies
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Case for Support Development
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Gift Range Chart and Goal Setting
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Campaign Plan, Timeline, and Budget
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Campaign Leadership and Committee Recruitment
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Prospect Research, Rating, and Screening
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Volunteer Training and Solicitation Coaching
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Lead and Major Gift Solicitation Visits
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Gift Acceptance, Pledge, and Naming Policies
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Campaign Materials and Communications
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Quiet Phase and Public Phase Management
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Campaign Reporting and Committee Facilitation
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Celebration, Recognition, and Pledge Fulfillment
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT
What you will get from us.
Custom strategies, built for your nonprofit
Every plan we produce is built for your organization: your donors, your culture, your moment.
A consultant who is part of the team
We are embedded in your work: present, responsive, and fully invested in your mission and your success.
We tell you the truth
If something is not working, we say so. If you are not ready for a campaign, we tell you before you spend money finding out.